Nadal celebrates a record win
Djokovic is not allowed to play and still climbs
03/15/2022, 09:51 am
Novak Djokovic is not allowed to play in the top-class tennis tournaments in the USA. But because Daniil Medvedev loses early, the Serb becomes number one in the world rankings again in his absence. Meanwhile, Rafal Nadal celebrates a record win.
Daniil Medvedev was not able to enjoy first place in the world tennis rankings for long. After his exit in the third round at Indian Wells, the Russian will be replaced by Novak Djokovic as the industry leader next Monday. Medvedev lost to Frenchman Gael Monfils 6-4, 3-6, 1-6 in the top-seeded event in California. The US Open champion should have made it to the quarterfinals in Indian Wells to remain at the top of the rankings, which he only took over on February 28.
Djokovic will be number one again next week, although he is not at the start in Indian Wells. So far, Djokovic has been at the top of the world rankings for 361 weeks – longer than any other tennis professional on the men’s tour. Only Steffi Graf was number one longer: The German led the world rankings for women for 377 weeks.
Djokovic, who was not vaccinated against the corona virus, had not received an entry permit to the USA. He will therefore not be in Miami next week, where the next event of the Masters 1000 series is due. If Medvedev plays more successfully there than in Indian Wells, there could be another change. Djokovic explained in a BBC interview in mid-February that he was still not vaccinated against Corona. The 34-year-old said he wished the participants in the tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami good luck.
Nadal celebrates historic victory
Djokovic was expelled from the country just before the start of the Australian Open earlier this year and was therefore unable to defend his title in Melbourne. The longtime number one in the world traveled to Australia believing that it had an entry permit. A federal court, however, decided otherwise. Djokovic has played his only tournament this year in Dubai. There, only a negative PCR test was required to participate, but no corona vaccination.
Rafael Nadal, meanwhile, continued his impressive winning streak this year. The 35-year-old Spaniard won in the third round against Briton Daniel Evans 7: 5 and 6: 3. Nadal also remained undefeated in the 17th game of the year. He also celebrated his 400th win in a Masters tournament – more than any other player before him. Nadal’s next opponent is the American Reilly Opelka, who defeated Denis Shapovalov from Canada 6: 7 (4: 7), 6: 4 and 6: 4.